There are many ways you may have tried to reduce your stress. Lots of people try reading a book, taking a hot bath or even trying yoga. While JOHNSON'S® Melt Away Stress Body Lotion may help you start to feel less stressed, there are other things you can try to affect your stress level and improve your everyday life.
Take up a Hobby
Each community generally offers classes to suit every kind of hobby or passion. Look through the parks and recreation flyers, call your local community college, or inquire at local craft stores about learning a new skill. Focusing your mind on things you enjoy can take your mind off more stressful topics for a while, giving you a completely fresh outlook.
Laugh More!
You might be surprised to know that laughter can really relieve stress and promote relaxation. It can actually reduce stress hormones and boost your immune system! So try to find the humor in things and engage in activities that make you laugh. You might just feel a serious reduction in stress!
Schedule Your Day Realistically
Don't try to conquer the world all in one day. Trying to set realistic, daily goals for yourself can sometimes help in not adding stress to your day. If you feel the need to be a super-woman and get more done, try making out a to-do list in the evening for the next day so you'll know that you can still accomplish more things tomorrow.
Relax Your Facial Muscles
When we're stressed, our facial muscles can actually tense up and add more tension to our day. Taking a moment to relax your facial muscles-and even your tongue!-can actually make you feel more relaxed overall. It might sound strange, but it can actually work!
Eat Stress-Busting Foods
Your diet can actually play a part in how much stress you feel. Coffee, fried foods and fatty foods can all increase your stress level. Foods rich in B-Vitamins, like almonds, fish, and broccoli can actually reduce stress levels. Whole grains, milk, cantaloupe, cottage cheese, and blueberries are great stress-busters, too.
Just Breathe
Nothing is more convenient than breathing when it comes to handy stress-relieving tools. Here's a terrific breathing exercise that's easy to remember, which you can do anytime, anywhere:
- Exhale completely.
- Very slowly breathe in through your nose.
- Expand your diaphragm (belly) to bring air into the lower portion of your lungs.
- As you gradually fill your lungs from the bottom to top, expand your chest.
- When you feel filled up, lift your shoulders up to get in just a little more air.
- Hold this, pausing your breathing (and your thinking!).
- Then relax and let the air flow smoothly and fully out through your mouth.
- Pull in your stomach at the end to expel the last bit of air (and stress).
- Hold this emptiness for a few seconds.
Do this a few times, paying attention to the sound and sensation of your breath.
